Discrete-type automated analyzer

Abstract

 A discrete-type analyser comprises a cuvette tray (1) having a plurality of cuvettes (3), the tray being rotatable to bring any cuvette to a treatment station (RO, R, S) whereat materials may be added to a cuvette or the contents of a cuvette analysed, for example. The cuvette tray, according to the invention, is arranged to be rotated (by means 21,19,17,15,9) in both directions, under control (49) so that accurate re-positioning of each cuvette at each station can be achieved.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an automated, discrete type, biochemical analytical system.

[0002] In the field of automated biochemical analytical systems, wherein samples are reacted and analyzed in respect of one or more analytes, it is often desirable that the analyses be performed on a selective basis in respect of each sample. Because of the high demand of clinical laboratories, it is required that such systems should provide, in addition to accurate analytical results, a high through-put and versatility and, also, low reagent consumption to reduce the cost per input test.

[0003] Present-day analytical systems may be divided into two categories. One such category includes the continuous-flow analytical systems, such as described in the L. Skeggs et al U.S. Patent 3,241,341 and the W. Smythe et al U.S. Patent 3,479,141. In such systems, continuous streams of successive sample segments and reagent are introduced, at properly related flow rates, into the system and passed along an analytical channel, wherein the successive samples are reacted and analyzed in respect of a same analyte. As described, the stream of sample segments can be divided, or split, into a number of aliquot streams, which are directed each along individual analytical channels to be reacted and analyzed in respect of a particular analyte. The analytical results derived from the analytical channels are thereafter correlated with respect to the patient or source. While such systems as described in the Skeggs et al patent are not selective, in that a fixed battery of analyses is performed, such systems do exhibit an extremely high through-put and are capable of satisfying the test requirements of large clinical laboratories. However, the Smythe et al patent describes a continuous-flow system of high through-put, wherein selectivity is obtained by injecting or introducing, on a selective basis and on in-line fashion, precise volumes of reagents to react with successive sample segments flowing in a continuous stream.

[0004] The second category includes discrete-type analyzers, wherein properly related volumes of sample and reagent are introduced into a reaction cuvette, the resulting reaction product being measured to determine the concentration of the analyte. Such systems may be adapted to perform a single type of analysis, termed a batch-type system, or to perform different types of analyses in respect of the individual samples. In such systems, a plurality of reaction cuvettes can be formed into an integral reaction tray, for example as described in our European patent application No. 82303211.5 filed 21st June 1982. Such tray is rotated to advance each cuvette, in turn, between a reagent addition station, a sample addition station, and an analytical or read-out station.

[0005] To obtain maximum versatility, discrete-type systems are often adapted to perform different types of analyses, so as to quantitate various analytes of interest present in biological samples. Such types of reactions can be divided into three types. The first type of reaction can be described as a zero-order rate reaction, as performed in respect of aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphotase, etc., wherein the concentration of the reaction product to be measured varies linearly with time. The second type of reaction can be defined as a first-order rate reaction, as performed in respect of urea nitrogen, creatinine, etc., wherein the concentration of the reaction product varies non-linearly with time. The third type of reaction can be defined as an end-point reaction, as performed in respect of glucose, total protein, etc., wherein the reaction goes to completion before measurement. As is appreciated, analyte quantitation in respect of each of such reactions requires that multiple measurements be made, e.g. colorimetrically, of the reaction product. To achieve highly accurate results, therefore, it is essential that such multiple measurements be made in respect of each individual cuvette, whether supported individually or integrally formed in the reaction tray, under identical conditions. Unless this is achieved, accuracy of the analytical result is reduced.

[0006] Generally, reaction cuvettes used in discrete-type analytical systems are formed of plastic or glass. As each cuvette is located, in turn, at the read-out station, a beam of light of predetermined wavelength, depending upon the analyte to be quantitated, is passed therethrough and along a sight path of controlled length extending through the reaction mixture. Any variation in the thickness or quality of any imperfections or residues on the cuvette walls defining the sight path would materially affect the light transmissive properties of the cuvette. Hence, any misalignment of the individual cuvette during the multiple readings would change the proper relationship of the successive analytical results, or read-outs, with respect to the reference base-line, which is itself determined by a read-out process.

[0007] Hence, unless each individual cuvette is precisely repositioned or aligned at the read-out station, the quantitation of the analyte would not be accurate. We have now devised an analytical system by which accurate repositioning or alignment of the cuvettes in a reaction tray at the read-out station, or at any other station or location, can be achieved, whereby successive analyte measurements may be made under identical conditions and accuracy of the analyte measurement is ensured.

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided an analytical system which comprises a cuvette tray comprising a plurality of cuvettes circularly arranged about a rotational axis, at least a first treatment station located with respect to said cuvette tray and at which at least a selected one of said cuvettes is to be repetitively positioned, and means for rotating said cuvette tray about said axis, characterised in that said rotating means is arranged to rotate the cuvette tray bidirectionally about said axis, and means are provided for controlling said rotating means to rotate said cuvette tray in a first direction to locate said selected cuvette at said first station, said controlling means being operative to control said rotating means to rotate said cuvette tray in a second direction prior to rotating said cuvette tray in said first direction to re-position said selected cuvette at said first station.

[0009] In known present-day automated discrete-type analyzers, a reaction tray comprising a plurality of cuvettes is rotated unidirectionally to successively advance each cuvette, in turn, between different treatment stations, i.e. a reagent-addition station, a sample-addition station, and a read-out station. To reposition a cuvette at a particular treatment station, it is required that the reaction tray effect a full revolution. Usually, the reaction tray is indexed by a stepping motor coupled via toothed drive belt and a toothed pulley arrangement. We have realised, however, that positional errors can be introduced in the re- positioning process due to tooth-to-tooth dimensional errors in the drive belt or gear arrangement, which may be inherent imperfections or result from wear. These dimensional errors are unpredictable and can result in a misalignment of the individual cuvettes in the re- positioning process. In the case of the read-out station, the result is that the same opposing wall portions of the individual cuvette do not define the sight path during successive measurements, or read-outs, whereby the reliability of the analytical results, particularly in the case of zero-order and first-order rate reaction, is not optimal.

[0010] Thus, in accordance with a feature of the. present invention, such repositioning errors can be very substantially avoided, if the same sections of toothed drive belt and drive pulleys are used in respect of the successive repositionings of the individual cuvettes. This is achieved, according to the present invention, by adapting the reaction tray to be rotated bidirectionally, whereby a same section of the drive belt is used to displace and reposition the individual cuvettes at the read-out station. Although a unidirectional rotation of the reaction tray would be less costly to implement and would not extend the operational cycle, the bidirectional rotation of the cuvette ensures that multiple readings of individual cuvettes at the read-out station are made under substantially identical conditions and that highly reliable analytical results can thereby be obtained.

[0011] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a discrete-type biochemical analyzer according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the biochemical analyzer of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a timing diagram illustrating a single operational cycle of the biochemical analyzer of Figure 1.

[0012] Referring now to Figure 1, a discrete-type biochemical analytical system is illustrated, which includes a circular reaction tray 1 comprising a plurality of reaction cuvettes 3. Preferably, reaction tray 1 is of the type described in our European patent application no. 82303211.5 wherein cuvettes 1 are integrally formed and circularly arranged about the axis of rotation. Each cuvette 3 has an open upper end and at least two radially aligned opposing transparent walls 5 and 7.

[0013] Tray 1 is removably mounted and keyed on a vertical shaft 9 supported by bearings 11 and 13. Shaft 9 carries a toothed pulley 15, which is engaged by a toothed drive belt 17 driven by toothed drive pulley 19 carried on the shaft of a reversible stepping motor 21. Motor 21 is operative to rotate tray 1 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow, through a sequence of angular positions.

[0014] The samples to be successively analyzed are carried on a sample tray 23 disposed adjacent to reaction tray 1 and mounted on the shaft of an AC synchronous motor 25. Sample tray 23 comprises a plurality of sample receptacles 27 arranged in circular fashion about the rotational axis of such tray. Motor 25 is operative to unidirectionally index sample tray 23, to successively advance receptacles 27, in turn, to a take-off position below an aspirating/dispensing probe 29. Probe 29 is adapted, under the control of drive mechanism 30, for vertical reciprocal and for bidirectional rotational movement, as indicated by the arrows, so as to be selectively positioned over and immersed into a receptacle 27 and into a cuvette 3 advanced to sample-dispense station S. Probe 29 operates to aspirate a precise aliquot of the sample contained in such receptacle 27 and to dispense or load the same into such cuvette 3.

[0015] Also, a reagent tray 31 is disposed adjacent to tray 1 and supported on the shaft of an AC synchronous motor 33. Reagent tray 31 is adapted to be unidirectionally advanced by motor 33 to selectively position an appropriate reagent below the aspirating/ dispensing probe 37. Probe 37 is adapted, under the control of drive mechanism 38, for vertical reciprocal movement and for bidirectional rotational movement, as indicated by the arrows, so as to be selectively positioned over and immersed into reagent container 35 and into a cuvette 3 selectively advanced to reagent- dispense station R. Probe 37 operates to aspirate a precise volume of reagent contained in such container 35 and dispense or load the same into such cuvette 3.

[0016] Probes 29 and 37 may be of the aspirating/ dispensing type described in our U.S. Patent 4,121,466. As described, such probe is normally filled with a pilot fluid which is immiscible with the aqueous liquid, i.e. sample or reagent, to be aspirated and dispensed. Also, an immiscible liquid is flowed downwardly, at a controlled rate, over the outer probe surface, to coat and prevent contact of such surface with the liquid to be aspirated. Accordingly, contamination is positively avoided between the successive liquids, whether sample or reagent, into which the probe is immersed. During the actual aspiration and dispense cycles, the flow of immiscible liquid over the probe surface may be discontinued. The operation of probes 29 and 37 are hereafter more particularly described.

[0017] The contents of cuvettes 3 are colorimetrically analyzed, in turn, at read-out station RO, to quantitate the particular analyte for which the contained sample has been reacted. Station RO comprises a light source 39 and collimating lens 41 for directing a beam of light through walls 5 and 7 of cuvette 3 positioned thereat. A detector 43 is located to receive the emerging light beam and generates an electrical signal indicative of the color depth, or analyte concentration, of the reacted sample disposed between windows 5 and 7. Also, a multi-filter wheel 45 is interposed between collimating lens 41 and wall 5 of positioned cuvette 3, which determines the wavelength of the light beam. As is known, a particular analyte is normally absorptive of light of a particular wavelength, the degree of absorption being indicative of the analyte concentration in the reacted sample. The output signal of detector 43 is directed to a register 47, which is adapted to store said signals, on an individual sample basis.

[0018] The operation of the system of Figure 1 is under the control of a controller 49, which is inputted by an operator to identify, as to source patient, each sample loaded in sample tray 23 and, also, to indicate the particular analysis to be effected of each such sample. According to such inputs, controller 49 implements a number of sub-routines for controlling the various components of the system to selectively analyze each such sample, as hereafter described.

[0019] The operation of the embodiment of analytical system of the present invention is more readily understood by reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, wherein like references have been used to denote corresponding structures. For purposes of description, it is assumed that (1) tray 1 comprises one-hundred cuvettes 3, (2) forty indexing positions of tray 1 are defined between station R and station RO, and (3) three indexing positions of tray are defined between station R and station S. It is further assumed that, at least, cuvettes 3 (1) through 3 (35) of Figure 2 have had both reagent and sample dispensed therein and, also, cuvettes 3 (36) through 3 (39) have had reagent dispensed therein preparatory to the dispensing thereof of sample contained in receptacles 27 (36) through 27 (39), respectively, at station S.

[0020] Under such system conditions, controller 49 operates under appropriate sub-routines to operate motor 33 to locate at station R an appropriate receptacle 35, e.g. receptacle 35 (4), containing the appropriate reagent to react sample contained in sample receptacle 27 (40); to operate motor 25 to advance the next receptacle 27 (37) containing the sample to be reacted in the reagent-loaded cuvette 3 (37) at station S and into which an appropriate reagent has been previously dispensed; and to operate stepping motor 21 to advance cuvettes 3 (37) over 3 (40) to stations S and R, respectively. Thereafter, controller 49 operates drive mechanisms 30 and 38 to concurrently control probes 29 and 37, respectively, to aspirate appropriate volumes of sample and reagent, respectively, from receptacles 27 (37) and 35 (4) and to dispense the same into cuvettes 3 (37) and 3 (40) positioned at stations R and S, respectively. Such dispensing operation occurs during time interval to-t₁ of Figure 3, which may be of three-second duration.

[0021] Following the dispensing cycle and when drive mechanisms 30 and 38 have normalized probes 29 and 37, respectively, over sample tray 23 and reagent tray 31, respectively, controller 49 operates stepping motor 21 to advance tray 1 in short, rapid incremental steps, to mix the contents of each "loaded" cuvette 3 during time interval t_l-t₃, which have a two-second duration. For example, tray 1 may be advanced or indexed, say, twenty-eight angular positions, with a momentary abrupt stop at each position. Such mixing is effected in incremental steps shorter and, also, at a rate faster than the normal indexing of tray 1. During the mixing cycle, the contents of all "loaded" cuvettes 3 are sufficiently agitated to ensure thorough mixing of their contents. Following the mixing cycle, at time t₂₁ controller 49 reverses stepping motor 21 to normalize tray 1 by returning cuvette 3 (36) and 3 (40) to stations S and R, respectively, and to reposition cuvette 3 (1) at station RO. Normalization of tray 1 is effected during time interval t₂-t₃, which may have a one-second duration.

[0022] Following the mixing and normalizing cycles, at time t₃, controller 49 operates stepping motor 21 to normally index tray 1 in a clockwise direction, to advance cuvettes 3 (1) through 3 (40), in turn, to station R0. Synchronously controller 49 operates wheel 45 to selectively position an appropriate filter to pass light an appropriate wavelength through each of the cuvettes 3 (1) through 3 (36), in turn, to effect a particular analyte analysis. As only reagent is present in cuvettes 3 (37) through 3 (40), the output of detector 43 in respect of each such cuvette is stored as the base line for the subsequent quantitation of a particular analyte to be subsequently analyzed in such cuvettes. The successive outputs of detector 43 are stored in register 49, under the control of controller 49, according to the source patient identified by the operator in respect of cuvettes 3 (1) through 3 (4o). For purposes of description, tray 1 may be indexed one position each .125 second, such that cuvettes 3 (1) through 3 (40) are read out during time interval t₂-t₄, which may have a five-second duration.

[0023] When the read-out cycle has been completed at time t₄, cuvette 3 (40) is located at station RO and the contents of each of cuvettes 3 (1) through 3 (40) have been successively analyzed and the analytical results appropriately stored in register 47. During time interval t₃-t₅, which may have a five-second duration, controller 49 operates stepping motor 21 to rotate tray 1 in a counterclockwise direction, to normalize the system preparatory to a next dispensing cycle. Preferably, the reverse indexing of tray 1 duplicates the forward indexing of tray 1, except for being effected in a reverse direction. Also, the reverse indexing of tray 1 is terminated when cuvette 3 (2) is located at station R0, cuvette 3 (41) is located at station R, and cuvette 3 (37) is located at station S, that is, tray 1 is reverse indexed to one angular position less than it had been forward-indexed. It should be appreciated, however, that tray 1 can be reverse indexed to any number of angular positions, depending upon the particular requirements of the system.

[0024] When the system of Figure 1 is normalized at time t₅, controller 49 commences a next operating cycle by operating motor 25 to advance the next receptacle 27 (38) to station S and motor 33 to advance, for example, receptacle 35 (1) to station R. Thereupon, controller 49 operates drive mechanisms 30 and 38 to control probes 29 and 37, respectively, to aspirate and dispense appropriate volumes of sample from receptacle 27 (38) and reagent from receptacle 35 (1) into cuvettes 3 (38) and 3 (41), respectively, located at stations S and R, respectively. As mentioned above, reagent dispensed into cuvette 3 (41) is intended for reaction with the sample contained in receptacle 27 (41), which will be dispensed into cuvette 3 (41) when advanced to station S.

[0025] Upon completion of the aspirate/dispense cycle, at time t₂₁ controller 49 operates stepping motor 21 to effect a next mixing cycle, as described above, to agitate and mix the contents of all "loaded" cuvettes 3 in tray 1 and to subsequently normalize tray 1, at time interval t₃₁ to reposition cuvettes 3 (41), 3 (37), and 3 (2) at stations R, S and RO, respectively. Thereafter, stepping motor 21 is operated by controller 49 to advance each cuvette 3 (2) through 3 (41), in turn, through station RO, whereat the contents of such cuvettes are analyzed, in turn, and the analytical results, i.e., the output of detector 43, are stored in register 47 in respect of the corresponding source patients, as described above. When cuvette 3 (41) is located at station RO, controller 49 operates motor 21 to rotate tray 1 in a counterclockwise direction. Tray 1 is reverse indexed through thirty-nine angular positions, to locate cuvette 3 (3) at station RO, cuvette 3 (42) at station R and cuvette 3 (39) at-station S, preparatory to a next operational cycle.

[0026] It is evident that during normal operation, forty distinct analyses will be made of the contents of each cuvette 3, the analytical results being stored in correlated fashion in register 47 in respect of source patient, whose identification was initially inputted to controller 49. As multiple readouts are made of each cuvette, register 47 is operated to use only selected ones of such readings in the calculation and printing out the final analytical results identified with the appropriate source patients. Generally, in respect of zero-order rate reactions, nine selected readouts may be used to calculate the analyte concentration by a conventional "best fit" technique. Also, in respect of first-order rate reactions, two readouts only need be used in the calculation of the analyte concentration, one being the initial "base line" readout of the corresponding cuvette 3 prior to sample addition. Finally, in respect of end-point reactions, both the "base line" readout and one additional readout are used to calculate the analyte concentration. The calculation techniques employed are well-known in the art.

[0027] As successive readouts are required to calculate analyte concentration and to ensure accurate analytical results, the successive positionings of each cuvette at station R0, at least, must be exactly duplicated. Such exact repositioning ensures that variations in the light transmission properties due to transmission or geometric non-uniformities of the walls 5 and 7 of each cuvette 3 are cancelled out for each successive measurement, that is, such variations are constant for each measurement. Exact repositioning is achieved by rotating tray 1 a reverse direction, so as to normalize the system, whereby the relationship of belt 17 and drive pulleys 15 and 19 is fixed and invariable in respect to the positioning of each individual cuvette 3 at a treatment station, say, R0. A same length of belt 17 is used in successively positioning each cuvette 3 at station RO. For example, and considering cuvette 3 (40) positioned at station R, such cuvette is indexed during the read-out cycle, at time t₃-t₄, through forty angular positions by passage of a section L of belt 17 over drive pulley 19, as indicated in Figure 3. During such read-out cycle the passage of section L', of belt 17 over drive pulley 19 equivalent to thirty-nine angular positions, is effective to position cuvette 3 (39) at station RO. During the normalizing cycle, at time t₄-t₅, section L' of belt 17 is returned over drive pulley 19 to locate cuvette 3 (41) at station R, cuvette 3 (40) having been normalized to one angular position beyond station R. During the next read-out cycle, a section L' of belt 17, including section L' and equivalent to forty angular positions of tray 1, is passed over drive pulley 19 to advance cuvette 3 (41) to station RO. The passage of section L' of belt 17 over drive pulley 19, at this time, is effective to advance cuvette 3 (40) through thirty-nine angular positions to be exactly repositioned at station RO. Any dimensional errors in those portions of belt 17 actually engaging pulleys 15 and 19 or either of the pulleys will affect the positioning of cuvette 3 (39) at station RO. It is evident that, however, as there is no play or slippage between belt 17 and pulleys 15 and 19 and because of the reversal of belt 17 during each normalizing cycle, the relationship of such belt to each of the pulleys will be exactly duplicated during each re- positioning of each cuvette 3 (39) at station RO. Therefore, any dimensional error in those portions of belt 17 engaging pulleys 15 and 19 or in either of such pulleys is effectively cancelled, i.e. exactly duplicated, during each such repositioning. Accordingly, if any tooth-to-tooth dimensional error should exist in any portion of belt 17 or in any portion of either of the pulleys 15 and 19, a positioning error is introduced only when such portion of belt 17 engages either of pulleys 15 or 19 or when such portion of the pulley is engaged by belt 17 and would affect only the initial alignment or positioning of a particular cuvette at a treatment station, say, RO. However, since the relationship of belt 17 and pulleys 15 and 19 is fixed with respect to each cuvette, a same positioning error is re-introduced during each successive repositioning of such cuvette at a treatment station, whereby the position of such cuvette is exactly duplicated. In prior art discrete-type analyzers, a repositioning of a cuvette at a particular station requires a complete revolution of tray 1 and, unless the drive belt, such as 17, is exactly equal to that length required to rotate tray 1 through one revolution, the relationship of the drive belt to the driving pulleys is not fixed and invariable with respect to each cuvette and any tooth-to-tooth dimensional errors would be cumulative, whereby an exact repositioning of each such cuvette at a particular treatment station could not be duplicated.

Claims

1. An analytical system which comprises a cuvette tray (1) comprising a plurality of cuvettes (3) circularly arranged about a rotational axis, at least a first treatment station (RO) located with respect to said cuvette tray and at which at least a selected one of said cuvettes is to be repetitively positioned, and means (21,19,17,15,9) for rotating said cuvette tray about said axis, characterised in that said rotating means is arranged to rotate the cuvette tray bidirectionally about said axis, and means (49) are provided for controlling said rotating means to rotate said cuvette tray in a first direction to locate said selected cuvette at said first station, said controlling means being operative to control said rotating means to rotate said cuvette tray in a second direction prior to rotating said cuvette tray in said first direction to re-position said selected cuvette at said first station.

2. A system according to claim 1, further including a second treatment station (R) located with respect to said cuvette tray and spaced a predetermined number N of angular positions of said cuvette tray from said first station, characterised in that said rotating means is operative to rotate said cuvette tray through a number N of angular positions in said first direction and through a number of angular positions less than N in said second direction.

3. A system according to claim 2, characterised in that said rotating means is operative to rotate said cuvette tray through a number of angular positions equal to N-1 in said second direction.

,4. A system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that said rotating means includes a toothed drive pulley (15) fixedly supported with respect to said tray and a toothed belt (17) engaging said drive pulley.

5. A system according to claim 2, or claim 3 or 4 when dependent on claim 2, wherein said first station is a read-out station and said second station is a reagent-dispensing station, characterised by further comprising a third treatment station (S), which is a sample-dispensing station, located with respect to said cuvette tray and intermediate said first and second stations.

6. A system according to claim 5, characterised in that said second station (R) includes a reagent tray (31) and an aspirating-dispensing probe (37) for selectively dispensing a controlled volume of reagent into a cuvette (3) positioned at said second station, and said third station (S) includes a sample tray (23) and an aspirating/dispensing probe (29) for dispensing a controlled volume of sample to be analyzed in a cuvette positioned at said third station, said dispensing probes being operative during a dispensing cycle.

7. A system according to claim 6, characterised in that said aspirating/dispensing probes (37,29) at said second (R) and third (S) stations are operative concurrently during a dispensing cycle, so as to dispense reagent and sample into cuvettes located at said second and third stations, respectively.

8. A system according to claim 6 or 7_e characterised in that said rotating means (21,19,17, 15,9) are operative, following a dispensing cycle, to rotate said cuvette tray unidirectionally a number of incremental steps, during a mixing cycle, to mix the contents of said cuvettes and to subsequently rotate said cuvette tray in an opposite direction to normalize said cuvette tray.

9. A system according to claim 8, characterised in that said rotating means (21,19,17,15,9) is operative to effect the incremental stepping of said cuvette tray at a same or faster rate than the angular positioning of said cuvette tray.

10. A system according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said first station (RO) includes colorimetric means (39,41,43,45) for measuring the optical absorbance of the contents of each cuvette (3) positioned thereat and for generating an analytical signal, and register means (47) for storing said analytical signal.

Drawing